Santa says "Welcome Ho-Ho-Ho"

When distributing gifts in Holland, St. Nicholas is accompanied his servant Black, who is responsible for actually dropping the presents down their recipients’ chimneys. He also punishes bad children...

In 1962, the first Christmas postage stamp was issued in the United States.

The earliest known Christmas tree decorations were apples. At Christmastime, medieval actors would use apples to decorate paradise trees (usually fir trees) during “Paradise Plays,”...

Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850.

Commissioned by Sir Henry Cole (1808-1883), British illustrator John Callcott Horsley (1817-1903) invented the first Christmas card in 1843.

The poinsettia, a traditional Christmas flower, originally grew in Mexico, where it is also known as the ‘Flower of the Holy Night’. Joel Poinsett first brought it to America in 1829.

Santa Claus is based on a real person, St. Nikolas of Myra (also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker, Bishop Saint Nicholas of Smyrna, and Nikolaos of Bari), who lived during the fourth...

Christmas purchases account for 1/6 of all retail sales in the U.S.

It is estimated that the single “White Christmas” by Irving Berlin is the best-selling single of all time, with over 100 million sales worldwide.

Each year more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. alone.

Roast turkey did not appear consistently on royal Christmas Day menus until 1851 when it replaced roast swan. The medieval dish of Boar’s head remained popular with Royals for much longer.

Guatemalan adults do not exchange Christmas gifts until New Year’s Day. Children get theirs (from the Christ Child) on Christmas morning.

The Canadian province of Nova Scotia leads the world in exporting lobster, wild blueberries, and Christmas trees.

Electric Christmas lights were first used in 1854.

The first person to decorate a Christmas tree was reportedly the Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). According to legend, he was so moved by the beauty of the stars shining...

Mistletoe (Viscum album) is from the Anglo-Saxon word misteltan, which means “little dung twig” because the plant spreads through bird droppings.

St. Nicholas was bishop of the Turkish town of Myra in the early 4th century. The Dutch first made him into a Christmas gift-giver, and Dutch settlers brought him to America where his name...

Christmas wasn’t declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.

Christmas Crackers were invented around 1846 by Tom Smith who developed them for Christmas from the French habit of wrapping sugared almonds in twists of paper as gifts.

Early illustrations of St. Nicholas depict him as stern, commanding, and holding a birch rod. He was more a symbol of discipline and punishment than the jolly, overweight elf children know today.

The poinsettia is native to Mexico and was cultivated by the Aztecs, who called the plant Cuetlaxochitl (“flower which wilts”). For the Aztecs, the plant’s brilliant red color symbolized purity, and...Contrary to popular...

The first printed reference to a Christmas tree was in 1531 in Germany.

The popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells” was actually written for Thanksgiving. The song was composed in 1857 by James Pierpont, and was originally called “One Horse Open Sleigh”.

The first Christmas was celebrated on December 25, AD 336 in Rome.

Silent Night was first sung as part of a church service in Austria. A guitar was used because the church organ was so badly rusted it couldn’t be played.

The Viking god Odin is one precursor to the modern Santa Claus. According to myth, Odin rode his flying horse, Sleipnir (a precursor to Santa’s reindeer), who had eight legs. In the winter, Odin...

The “true love” mentioned in the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” does not refer to a romantic couple, but the Catholic Church’s code for God. The person who receives the gifts represents...

I would like a couple of things, but I don't really matter. The kids that do matter are the ones that don't have a lot of stuff. Last year a got a lot of stuff from you and my parents. But this year is different. I don't need a lot of toys. So if you would, just get me a couple of toys and give the poor people what they really need. Anyway just get me some of these things: books ,littlest pet shop, legos, a cozy blanket and a couple of things in my stocking. (your choice)

Love, Julianna S.

Dear Santa

I really hope you are real. But I am not so sure. It might be against your rules, but on Christmas eve, could you come wake me up? Just to reasure me. If it IS against your rules, just put on one of my preasants: From supercalifragilisticsexpialidocious. I want to know I promise I wont tell anyone. I know how buisy you are, and I am sorry it is last notice, but please be sure to get a pair of brown cowgirl boots, and some overawls. I would really appriciate it. I have a question. My mommy says that you hide preasents all around the world because your sled isnt big enough. How big is your sled?

Alyssa

Dear Santa

all i want for christmas) PLEASE this is all i want is for Mrs.Santa to have a baby child and name it after ME!!! PLEASE oh PLEASE i know i have been very good latley. I think you need a kid sooooooo....... please i want you to have a baby!!!!!!!! Love Santa Jr. P.S, next christmas i want to see him, or her if you don't i will be very mad! Just Joking with you big guy!!!!!!!!!! LOL P.S.S I also want a WII......!!!!!!

12 year old Cheslea started singing when she was only 4 years old. Chelsea not only has an amazingly talented and beautiful voice, she also plays the piano. She is even a singer in the Dutch Voice Kids talent show.

Letters By Santa

Watch Your Child's Face Fill With Excitement
As TheyOpen A Letter From Santa
Postmarked From The Northpole

American Food Quest - Chef Robert Lewis, The Happy Diabetic, andaward-winning film producer Paul Kakert are throwing down their foodiegauntlets in search of America’s most interesting people, places & food.

It's Christmas Day

It's Christmas Day was performed byover 500 hundred choirs worldwide last Christmas.